The carriage wheels rumbled along the dirt road. Sunlight caught the green frame, gold trim glinting like a moving crest.
I sat by the window. Eimira slept beside me, her head resting on my shoulder. Across from us, Feona watched the passing landscape while Aurivelle rested on her lap.
Ryona and the others rode in escort carriages behind us, along with five calvarymen.
We were on a five day journey to the Academy, and we were already delayed due to my sudden summon to the Soul Tree.
Feona kept her gaze outside. Then she spoke.
"So you both are a thing now, aren't you?"
"What?" I frowned.
She glanced at me.
"Come on. You know exactly what I mean.."
Heat crept up my face. "Well… I guess so, haha."
A small smile touched her lips before she looked away again. "She probably wouldn't have said anything, if not for Arcis."
I chuckled softly. "Yeah. He told me."
"You met Arcis?." She asked.
"Y-Yeah, I did."
"That's rare… he barely ever approaches anyone."
"..."
Feona giggled.
"You know…" she said, "She actually went to meet Arcis for advice on how to confess her feelings."
She continued.
"He may be blind, but that doesn't stop him from getting the ladies. Especially with that beautiful blindfold of his."
I blinked. "So Arcis advised her to confess to me?"
"Yup" she nodded. "Isn't she cute? Meeting her big brother for advice about a boy she liked."
Feona squealed.
"Jeez…" I shushed her. "Keep it down."
She rolled her eyes.
"Sorry. I just got a bit too happy."
"She is cute." I whispered, smiling.
A cavalry rider sped past the carriage, expression unreadable. Probably carrying a message.
Eimira shifted slightly, her quiet breathing filling the space.
I found myself watching her, waiting.
"She watched you for the three days you were out…" Feona said softly. "Barely slept or ate anything."
I let out a soft breath. "Oh…"
Aurivelle stirred.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Are we there yet?"
Feona laughed softly. "We've barely left the capital, Aurivelle."
"How far is the Academy?" I asked.
"Really far." Feona answered.
"The Academy is sort of like the first line of defense, so it's near the edge of Terraka. Close to the Dark Forest." She added.
Eimira spoke.
"It's about a week's journey on foot, and three to five days by carriage."
I turned to her.
"You're awake…"
She yawned.
"Yeah… looks like it."
Sunlight caught her eyes, and I found myself staring at her again.
Blue.
"S-Stop staring so much…"
I blinked.
"Sorry… I just couldn't help it."
Feona interrupted. Her tone, teasing.
"He spent three days without seeing your beauty." She grinned. "Let him stare at you as much as he likes."
"You—"
Eimira pointed at Feona.
"Shut up…"
Aurivelle giggled.
"Anyways, how long have we been moving?" Eimira asked.
"A few hours." Feona answered. "We're nearing Wisteria County."
Eimira paused.
"Let's stop there for the night."
"Why?" I asked.
"The daughter of the man that attacked you, invited us." Feona answered.
"Oh I kinda forg—"
"After fainting so many times like a princess, I'd expect that much." Feona cut in.
Then.
"That's something I'm sure Ryona would have said."
She laughed.
Eimira joined.
"I'll let the coachman know that we are stopping at Wisteria County." Feona said, as she leaned backward and tapped the coachman's window.
"So did you enjoy your nap?" I asked Eimira.
"Not really.." she answered, "You stared at me the whole time."
I chuckled nervously. "Oh, my bad."
Outside, a bird took flight with a message from the coachman.
"We'll arrive at the county in two to three hours." Feona said. "What should we do till then?"
Aurivelle stood up, excited.
"Tell us Dark forest and battle stories."
"What? No." Feona shrugged.
"Aww…"
"Urgghh. Fine."
"Yay."
***
The sun dipped behind Terrakan hills as our carriage rolled into the Wisteria County.
Dusk bathed the torn in gold. Purple petals from wisteria trees covered the streets, crushed softly beneath carriage wheels and people's feet.
Shops and houses lined both sides. Merchants called out. Townsfolk strolled in fine garments. Adventurers moved between stalls, their voices blending into a steady hum.
Heads turned as we passed. Some bowed. Others glanced and returned to their business.
The peaceful streets gave way to indulgence. Perfume thickened the air. Desire hung openly in the streets. Men chose their companions. Women did the same, with equal ease.
People lay on the streets, as if dead or homeless. A bottle beside them.
Feona noticed Aurivelle looking out the window.
She pulled Aurivelle closer and covered her eyes.
"Shit.. I forgot we had a child with us."
Eimira let out a soft laugh. Then she looked at me.
"Keep your eyes on me. Like you always do."
I choked lightly. "S-Sorry."
Feona spoke.
"How did Wisteria County become this?"
Eimira sighed.
"Zyron said he'd look into the Wisteria Family."
"They changed for the worse, it seems." she added.
Just then two horsemen rode beside us, for protection against the drunks.
Moments later.
The carriage moved deeper into the district. Houses got bigger. Streets became less crowded.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Wealth.
The carriage rolled through black iron gates, and into the Count's estate.
Wisteria trees filled the compound. Purple blossoms mixed with rows of bright flowers, carefully arranged. Behind them a small stream flowed.
At the entrance, stood two statues.
One on the left, a man reaching forward, arms outstretched.
Before him, on the right, stood a figure shaped like a woman? a man? I couldn't tell. It was formed from wood and vines. Branches extended from her arms. Vines hung from her head like hair. She reached back toward him.
I studied it.
Eimira nudged me.
"Don't stare at that." She said, "It might be linked to the Soul Tree. I don't want you getting pulled in again."
Erin rushed forward, her face bright with excitement.
The other carriage arrived.
Ryona stretched as she stepped down.
"Finally…"
The others followed.
"Welcome everyon—"
She spotted Aurivelle.
"Isn't this the little princess?"
Aurivelle giggled. "My back hurts…"
"Aww… You can rest here." Erin said.
Erin walked up to me and lifted my hand slightly.
"How's your injury?" She asked, "I hope it didn't affect you in any way."
Eimira gently slapped her hand away.
"He's fine…"
Feona grinned.
"Look at her… like a guardian drake."
She turned to Erin.
"They are a "thing" now." She whispered.
Erin blinked. "Oh…"
Smack!
"Why'd you tell her?"
"Bitch!" Feona snapped, clutching her neck.
Then instantly covered her mouthing.
Looking down at Aurivelle, who looked back at her.
Aurivelle opened her mouth as if about to say something.
"Bi—"
Eimira reacted fast.
"No… Don't do that."
She turned to Feona.
Feona shrugged. "I keep forgetting dude…"
Erin laughed.
"It's getting dark now. Let's go in."
----
The House of Wisteria wasn't large, but it carried status.
Light purple walls lined the structure, beautified in flowering vines. Paintings of the identity— Masked warriors with poison weapons— filled the main hall.
One stood out.
A towering figure shaped like a humanoid tree. Leaves hung from its head. Branches spread wide from its arms.
In this painting. It stood before a group of people who bowed to it. Beneath it, a man knelt.
Protected.
I had so many questions…
Then—
"That's Miraeth," Erin said "Our clan's deity."
I frowned.
She chuckled softly. "It's Family history that can't be covered in a single night."
"So don't worry too much about it." she added.
"Of course. He shouldn't." Eimira cut in.
Silence followed.
Feona clapped her hands once.
"Right. Your dad. How's he doing? Eimira let him fall pretty hard."
Erin forced a smile.
"He's fine… Now he requires a cane to walk."
"Great, good, wonderful. Anyways…." Ryona stepped forward. "I'm heading out for some little me time…"
"Where are you going?" Aurivelle asked.
"To get dru—"
Ryona paused.
"To get some squeezed fruit juice…"
Aurivelle's face lit up.
"Can you get one for me too?"
Ryona chuckled nervously. "Yeah… sure."
She walked off.
"I'm off too. Spent too much time cramped up in that carriage."
Chichi followed.
"I'll have the servants guide the rest of you to your rooms." Erin said.
Three masked servants stepped out and bowed. Five more followed, dressed in darker, more combat-ready attire.
Then someone entered.
A tall woman in deep purple.
The fabric alone spoke of wealth, jewelry rested neatly on her skin. Black hair, braided with purple beads, framed her face.
She moved with elegance.
Soft. Controlled.
Her gaze swept the room, then stopped on Aurivelle.
She walked over and stared down at her.
Then—
She scooped her up.
"Ahh! Baby Auri!" She squealed. "You've gotten bigger and cuter."
Aurivelle swung her tiny feet in the hair.
The woman lifted her, spun her slightly, then pulled her into a tight embrace.
Aurivelle laughed.
A moment passed, and she set Aurivelle down, cracking her back after.
"Oh.. I'm getting old."
She shook her head.
"I used to be known as the poison cyclone." She chuckled. "Now I can't even handle a few spins."
She turned to me.
"Oh? You must be the groom my daughter mentioned."
"Mother stop." Erin muttered, face flushed.
I glanced at Eimira.
Her expression hardened, but she forced a smile.
"Greetings Countess Oviah."
Eimira bowed slightly.
The woman did the same.
"Greetings Captain Eimira."
Her head remained bowed.
"I apologise for my husband's actions."
The servants followed.
"Please accept our apology."
"It's fine," Eimira said. "I have a question though."
The woman raised her head.
"Hmm?"
Eimira took a breath.
"Since when did Wisteria County become a place of pleasure?"
The room went silent.
No response.
Oviah rose slowly.
Her face—
Neutral.
Too neutral.
"I have a place to be now." She said, "Enjoy your night."
She left.
Brushing past Eimira as if asserting dominance, or telling her not to say anything.
Her guards followed her.
Erin stepped forward.
"Please… don't talk about that."
"Why?" Eimira snapped.
"It's a sensitive topic for he—"
"Doesn't give her the right to walk out on me that way."
"Eimira stop."
Feona placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't do that…"
She turned to Erin.
"Sorry about that. Eimira here is still a bit mad about what happened."
Erin chuckled dryly. "It's fine…"
She exhaled.
"You guys hungry?"
"I'm starving even…" I said.
Erin laughed.
"Come on." She gestured for us to follow her. "We had enough time to prepare after we got the message."
"What about the count?" Eimira asked.
She forced a smile.
"He'll be joining us also…"
"Alright."
A bead hit the floor somewhere in the hall.
It bounced once. Twice. Thrice. Then rolled to a stop.
A figure stopped forward and picked it up.
A quiet chuckle.
"Perfect timing."
----
The clatter of cutlery filled the dining hall.
I sat near the end of a long table, two smaller tables pushed together to fit everyone. The room felt plain. Not lavish like the Terrakan palace. Just unique in its own style.
A small wisteria tree, in a pot, stood behind the head seat. Another rested behind the chair meant for Oviah.
Her father walked in.
The room went silent.
Two masked guards stood behind him.
Erin stood.
"Welcome father."
He didn't respond.
Just took a seat and began eating.
Eimira coughed.
"Count Tharn…"
No response.
Eimira continued.
"It's a bit rude for you not to greet your guests…"
No response.
Eimira clenched her fist.
"Hey, I'm talking to—"
I placed my hand on hers.
She turned to me.
"It's not worth it. Let's just eat, and go to sleep." I said.
Erin bowed her head.
"I'm sorry you guys…"
She chuckled dryly.
"He's maybe not in the mood."
She cut a piece of her meat and shared it with everyone.
I tilted my head.
"A noble sharing their food is a sign they see you as equals." Tabbi spoke.
"You finally decided to speak uhn," I said.
"She's like that sometimes." Eimira replied. "She just shuts off."
Feona smirked.
"She's like Mira. Just nicer." she side-eyed Eimira. "...And she doesn't hit people."
Eimira frowned.
"Hey— I don't hit you that much."
Feona raised a brow.
"My neck changed pigments thanks to you hitting it so many times."
Hands slammed on the table.
"Have you no table manners?" Erin's father muttered.
Eimira didn't look at him. "Then— maybe… greet your guests when you come."
He clicked his tongue.
"You're Erin's guest not mine."
"But it's your home." Eimira snapped.
"Eimira calm—"
The door creaked open.
A man stepped in and bowed. He was tall, dark-skinned and wore a deep red wooden mask, etched with gold along the edge.
A black vine-woven hat rested on his head. Two swords hung at his waist, on both sides.
"Forgive the interruption, my lord… He's here."
"Who?"
The man said nothing. He only looked at Tharn.
That was enough.
"I must excuse myself." He said, rising with effort.
His servants rushed to support him.
They left together.
Only Erin remained with us.
She covered her face.
"This is so embarrassing," she said. "I want to leave this house so bad."
Feona leaned back. "At least, your mother makes up for it."
Erin let out a dry laugh. "Don't get me started on that witch. She leaves every night. Comes back near noon. Then leaves at night again."
Silence.
"It must be hard on you," Tabbi said. "Considering you are an only child."
Erin stood.
"That's why I invited you guys."
Eimira narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I didn't invite you over just to dine." Her voice shook. "But also to ask if it's okay for me to join you."
Feona frowned. "Join us?"
"Something's wrong the my fa—"
The door burst open.
Erin flinched.
Chichi walked in, dragging a drunk and passed out Ryona.
"Hey hey! How was dinner y'all?"
Thud.
She dropped Ryona.
"Jeez. My arms hurt."
"Where's my juice?" Aurivelle asked.
Chichi laughed. "Tomorrow, I promise."
"I-I'll show you to your rooms." Erin said, almost turning.
Eimira stepped forward. "Finish what you were going to say."
Erin hesitated.
Tabbi spoke. "No one's nearby. You can speak."
Erin exhaled.
"My parents… changed." She said, "I-I don't know if they did, or maybe I just got old enough to see them for what they truly are."
"How?" I asked.
She sat down slowly.
"My mother has been leaving the house at night for as long as I can remember. I had the impression that it was to protect our county from monsters. But that all faded as I grew."
She chuckled dryly.
"And my father… he used to be strong and smart. People called him Tharn the clever. Now.."
She looked away. "Now they call him a pig and an adulterer."
Eimira crossed her arm. "Hmm… the Wisteria County was never like this."
"Yes it wasn't." Erin cut in. "But after this man came… it changed."
"I assume the one that called for your father." I said.
"Yes…."
"Do you know what he looks like?" Feona asked.
"I-I've never really seen him." Erin answered. "I was always locked away whenever he showed up."
She continued.
"I only ever heard of his name… no not his name, but what people call him."
"And that is?"
Erin's voice dropped.
"They call him the Fourth Throne."
----
Far from the Count's estate, deep within a hidden chamber.
"The village has been secured. We will be advancing on the plans soon."
"That's great, sire." Tharn said.
A figure stepped into the light.
His skin looked pale. His eyes glowed purple, half-lidded. Dark marks spread from their corners. A short horn rose from his temple.
He let out a weak laugh.
Then—
His tongue shot forward.
It wrapped around a maid's neck and yanked her in.
She clawed at it.
His tongue forced its way into her mouth.
She choked.
Her body shriveled.
Eyes hollowed.
Then.
Her body went stiff.
Dried.
What remained dropped to the floor.
Empty.
He exhaled. "Delicious."
He turned to Tharn.
"You really do have an eye for picking out the best food." He let out a short laugh. "Judging by your size, it's no surprise."
Tharn trembled.
"I need you to do something for me,Tharn."
His voice shook. "W-what do you need from me s-sire?
"My lover needs more children. One strong and energetic to become cursed bearers."
"I'll do my best, sire." Tharn said at once.
The man tilted his name. "My name."
Tharn froze.
"Devorakh," the man said. "Don't forget it. Again."
"Yes… Lord Devorakh."
Devorakh grimaced. "Drop the lord. It makes me sound old and senile. I'm just a little over eight hundred years old."
"... Yes, Devorakh."
He crouched in front of him.
"The fall of Terraka has begun."
His body shifted.
"Little by little. Piece by piece. We strip this nation of its future."
He grew.
His horns split and curved upward like a crown. Purple light burned in his eyes.
"And the house of wisteria will serve me."
He grabbed Tharn's face.
"And in return… you will rise above all and rule in our place."
His voice deepened.
"Kraeth de mor drath... Si'valth en mar drath."
(Let the rot bind flesh, let the rune devour all souls.)
"I am Devorakh, Fourth of the Seven Thrones Of Ruin. Do my bid and the world shall bow as you sleep."
Tharn convulsed.
Black foam spilled from his mouth as power forced its way into him.
He screamed—
Then lunged at the maids he had brought with him.
Devouring the soul of each and every one of them.
At the doorway, unseen—
The tall masked man watched.